All Aboard! Part 1
The railroad engineer yelled up and down the platform. Nora stood outside in the cold watching people kiss their loved ones before stepping onto the train. She felt a nervousness she couldn’t get control of. Her palms were sweating inside her black leather gloves, as she pulled her wool coat closed at the collar. Taking another look down the platform, she’s raging an internal battle between fear and necessity.
She needed to board this train. It was the last one leaving Llanview headed to Morrisville, the small town whose claim to fame was the infamous Statesville Prison. Nora had a 2:30 appointment with a client and the four hour train ride would arrive, giving her barely enough time to make it to the prison.
She arrived at the train station bright and early that morning, intending to depart on the 6:30 am train, but it left the station with Nora watching it make its way down the tracks and out of sight. Convincing herself that she could leave on the 8:30 train and still have plenty of time before her meeting, she walked back into the station for a cup of coffee and a big dose of courage.
The 8:30 train departed much in the same fashion and still Nora couldn’t take that step onto the metal floorboard of the train. Oh, she had tried several times, pacing back and forth talking to herself, but in the end, the train left the station with Nora again standing alone on the platform. A frown forming on her face as she struggled to control the moisture building in her eyes.
Her last chance now stood before her. It was the largest obstacle she had ever faced. It’s green and red stripped cars seemed so menacing, but others didn’t seem bothered. People quickly boarded the waiting monster, oblivious to the battle Nora was waging. She stood glaring at it.
Nora: (To herself) You won’t beat me. (Briefly glancing around her) Just get on Nora. (Slowly walking toward the passageway opening) It’s like falling off a horse, just get back on.
She stood at the edge of the concrete platform staring down at the three-inch gap between her and the train. A few blades of grass worked through the gravel and railroad ties below. Her heart was beating out of her chest and her feet seemed to weigh a ton. Again the clock was ticking and this was her last chance.
Nora: (Scolding herself) Take the step Nora. (Working up courage) Just do it. Do it!
Again the railroad engineer announces, “All Aboard!” Closing her eyes briefly she took the short step from the platform to the railroad car. The fear gripping her insides as she reached for the handrail and ascended the few step, briefly glancing back at the safe, secure platform of the train station.
Nora: (Taking a deep breath and briefly closing her eyes) One step at a time, Nora. One step at a time.
She located her seat in the first class section of the passenger cars. It was a treat she deiced to give herself on this her first ride on a train since the accident that derailed her entire life. Half the battle was now over. Time to sit back and enjoy the ride.
As the train slowly began to make its way down the track and away from the platform, Nora stared out the window looking at the landscape of Llanview. Her eyes briefly filled with tears as her grip on the arm rest tightened.
The baggage porters standing on the platform briefly looked up just in time to see the lone figure make a desperate leap on the last car before it cleared the platform.
Bo glanced back at the stunned porters and showed them his assured smile. He briefly looked down at his watch and frowned. It was definitely time to get a new watch. He almost missed his train because it had stopped working an hour earlier. It was Hank’s surprised look at seeing Bo still in his office that shifted Bo’s calm morning into overdrive.
******
Earlier:
Hank: (Glancing at his watch) Aren’t you suppose to be on your way to Statesville for your meeting with the Warden?
Bo: (Looking at his own watch) I still have about an hour before I need to leave.
Hank: (Frowning) Aren’t you leaving on the 10:00 train?
Bo: Yeah.
Hank: (Holding up his wrist so Bo could see his watch) Don’t you think you better hit the road?
Bo: (Leaning over his desk and squinting to see Hank’s watch and then looking again at his own, totally stunned) 9:40!!! Damn!! (He leaps from behind his desk and grabs his briefcase.) Damn! Damn! Damn!
Hank: (Chuckling as he watches Bo run from his office holding his quartz watch up to his ear as he continued to curse.) Don’t break the speed limit Buddy!
******
Bo took a cleansing breath as he slid open the passageway doors. A few people looked up wondering where this man emerged from. Bo smiled, straightened his coat and slowly and calmly made his way to the first class passenger compartment.
To be continued...
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